Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 80014 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80014 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
When he yanked open the bedroom door, Nana, Gianni, and Mike tumbled inside. Their spouses were right behind them, standing in the hallway and trying to look casual about having been caught eavesdropping. While they untangled themselves and helped each other up, Adriano said, “You should all go ahead and go to dinner, it’s almost time for your reservation. I have something I need to take care of, but I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“We know what you’re doing, and we’re coming with you to get the bastard that took you hostage and wrecked your mom’s bar.” Nana sounded determined.
Dante shook his head and told her, “No way. It’s too dangerous.” We couldn’t actually leave without them though, because there were six people blocking the doorway.
“We just heard Aidie say he’s unarmed, so it’s not that dangerous.” Nana reached into the neck of her sequined dress, pulled her phone out of her bra, and began writing a text. “I’m telling Petey to pull the limo around.”
Adriano turned to me with a look of desperation in his eyes, but all I could do was shrug. Short of locking Nana in a closet, there really was no way to stop her. On top of that, Mike added, “I know we’re not, like, trained for this or anything, but we can at least come along and act as lookouts. What if this guy slips out the back door? You can’t be everywhere at once.”
“We appreciate the fact that you want to help,” Dante told them, “but every minute we spend debating this could give Greco time to get away. He’s a very dangerous man, and we don’t want any of you to get hurt. That’s why you’re staying here.”
Nana spun on her heel and said, “Come on, boys, we can get there ourselves. The club is called Apex, and I’m sure Petey our limo driver knows where it is. Somebody find me some footwear, and hurry up! Not the heels I was wearing, I need some action shoes.” Ollie was right behind her as she left the room.
Gianni shot his older brothers a look and pointed out, “None of you drove here, and good luck getting a cab on a Friday night. The limo is the fastest way to get where you’re going, so you might as well accept the inevitable.”
Adriano turned to Mike and Gianni and said, “I don’t understand. Why do you want to put yourselves in a potentially dangerous situation?”
“Because family sticks together,” Gianni said. “If you’re going to go deal with this thug, then we want to be there to back you up.”
“The thing is, Dante and Vincent have always been our family’s shield, but they shouldn’t be the only ones to bear that burden,” Mike chimed in, as they took their argument in tandem. “Our family got out of organized crime a long time ago, but we still have enemies. We know our older brothers have been protecting us from all sorts of things over the years and making sure Gianni and I could lead normal lives. But your enemy is our enemy, and we’re not kids anymore. I get that we’re not super tough badasses like you guys, but we’re not useless, and we want to help.”
“Fine. Come along,” Dante muttered. “But promise me you’ll be careful.”
Just then, we heard Nana yell from the other room, “We’re going! Get your asses in gear, boys!” That was followed by the unmistakable sound of the hotel room door slamming shut.
Dante swore vividly and hurried for the door. At the same time, Vincent told his younger brothers, “If anyone pulls a gun, your job is to tackle Nana and Ollie and get them on the ground.”
As we all ran after Dante, Mike said, “Sure, but Nana will probably be the one pulling a gun.”
“All the more reason to tackle her to the ground,” Vincent told him.
We caught up to the pair of seniors in time for everyone to pile onto the same elevator. Adriano and I were back in a corner, and he took my face between his hands as he said, “Promise me you won’t be a hero, Jack.”
“Me? When have I ever been a hero?”
“When you pushed me out of the way and took a bullet for me, and when you snuck into a compound full of people with guns and saved my ass.”
“That’s not me being heroic,” I said softly. “I was just taking care of you, because you mean absolutely everything to me, Reno.”
He whispered, “God, I love you,” before claiming my mouth in an earth-shaking kiss. My heart skittered in my chest. Had he really just said that?
Before I could reply, Nana exclaimed, “Those two are just so sweet! And don’t they look lovely together? Such handsome boys.”
Adriano and I both looked up and found everybody grinning at us. I grinned too and ducked my head as heat rose in my cheeks.